“I don’t think he’s going to believe our cover for much longer,” I snicker. “Or the very least, he’ll come looking for us soon.”
My phone buzzes again.
Nolan:Uh oh. Looks like someone’s hangry.
Donovan:Damn right I am, and there better still be food when I get there.
Nolan:Food? Shit. I knew I forgot something.
There’s another buzz, followed by a picture of Nolan with a plate filled with several slices of various artisan pizzas.
Donovan answers with a picture of himself flipping the bird while he’s leaning against his truck.
Kaleb and I look up from our phones and bust up laughing, then my eyes light up when I realize what I have tucked away in my backpack.
Shaking with laughter, I dig out the candy bar that’s still in its wrapper from lunch, set it on the table, and take a picture, texting it with the caption: Donovan. Eat a Snickers. You’re not yourself when you’re hungry.
Within seconds, there’s a reply.
Donovan:Yes I am. And where the hell are you? That table isn’t in a classroom.
Nolan:Busted!
Kaleb throws his backpack over his shoulder, and with one hand, responds:
Kaleb:Relax. We’re on our way out to you now. If you’re nice, Callie may give you a bite of her candy.
I grin, gather my things, and text back:
Me:I don’t know. Do we want to find out what happens when I’m hangry?
Nolan:Felix says don’t make her hangry! We wouldn’t like her when she’s hangry.
Donovan:Ten minutes, or you can walk to Nolan’s.
Kaleb motions with his head for me to follow him over the back lawn and towards the parking lot. He chuckles when he texts:
Kaleb:Or we can fly ;)
There’s a long pause before there’s a response.
Donovan:Callie, give Kaleb back his phone.
I look over confused and see Kaleb grinning. Quickly, I type back:
Me:I didn’t steal his phone!
Donovan:Bull. Suggesting something fun is a dead giveaway it’s not him.
Now I understand why he’s grinning, and I can’t help but release a breathy laugh. Turns out Kaleb has a hidden mischievous side all his own, because no matter how much I deny it, Donovan will never believe Kaleb suggested exposing his wings in broad daylight just to save us from walking.
Chapter 12
Callie
Irelease a careful breath through pursed lips when I finally make it to the bottom of the endless stair collection otherwise known as Nolan’s backyard. The back property was beautiful to look at from Nolan’s suite, not so great to climb down the million steps to get here.
Connor squeezes my hand then lets go, but stays close to my side. There are no handrails for the numerous steps, and I nearly seized in terror at the top of the hill. Without a word, Connor took my hand and held it the whole way down. As grateful as I am, a mixture of embarrassment and fear swims through me. There’s no denying it now, he knows-- maybe not the specifics, but more than the others. More than I want him to.
